Why keeper Omondi is super motivated ahead of quarters

Harambee Stars players during CHAN tournament at Kasarani Stadium, Nairobi. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

He is a marvel to watch between the goal and his gloves are already telling the story.

He was flawless against DR Congo and Morocco in the dreaded Pool of Death of Group A.

Against the latter, he stood tall and despite Kenya being one man down in the energy sapping encounter. He  formed a solid wall at the back.

His heroics did not only preserve him a clean sheet in the match, but propelled him to the Man Of the Match (MOTM) award.

“I’m happy, I’m grateful. This is the highest and major accolade I have so far received in my footballing life, it is one of the greatest achievements of my career,” Harambee Stars keeper Byrne Omondi told Standard Sports.

“I have dedicated this gong to my family, they have been pushing me to be better, they have been praying for me, they have been calling me everyday just to encourage me. I have performed well in this tournament because of their moral support,” he said.

“I cherish the MOTM award because this is a very big tournament, it’s a great honour. 
 Morocco, we were definitely fighting for something and I’m glad I stood out to get this deserving reward.

“We had high team spirit in the encounter. We gave it our all and I’m now happy to see this  motivation that came with that struggle and hard work in the pitch. It gives me an assurance that the future is bright in football. It’s an indication that this Harambee Stars squad can lift the Chan trophy and it will be a huge fulfilment for me and my teammates,” Omondi said.

Ahead of the quarter-final showdown with Madagascar at Kasarani Stadium this evening, Omondi says the award has motivated him to give Kenya his best as he faces his opposite number Ramandimbisoa Michel Toldo who is currently the most decorated player of the tournament.

The Malagasy custodian has so far bagged three MOTM awards in the championship.

Omondi and Toldo are among the five goal keeper’s who have been outstanding.

Apart from the duo, other goalkeepers who have impressed are Brudel Efonge (DR Congo), Joel Mutakubwa (Uganda) and Mahamadou Tandja Djibrilla Kassali of Niger.

Asked how he has managed to produce such a good show so far, Omondi said: “I’m very sharp in goal as a result of intense skills and techniques from our goalkeeper trainer.

“As a team, we have agreed to come out gun blazing in the tournament, we tackle each game at a time.” 

Against Madagascar, Omondi says they will be very ruthless on the pitch as the mission is to clinch another win.